If you needed an excuse to tune into Strictly Come Dancing this year, is it.

The British designer will be pulling on the sequins alongside fellow contestants Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Abbey Clancy and Dragon's Den star Deborah Meadon for the new series, which starts on 7 September – and mighty fine he looks in them, too.

‘I’ve spent my entire life dressing a variety of different people from all different backgrounds, shapes, sizes and ages. For once in my life, somebody gets to dress me,’ he says.

‘I like the fact I can have the sparkles and the crystals, and the glamour that I’ve spent my life putting on other people. I’m loving the rhinestones and lace, and the crystals. I just want more and more.

‘I’ll probably look like a Christmas tree by the end of it!’

Having spent two years as a judge on Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model, however, it remains to be seen how Macdonald fares on the other side of the desk.

‘Whatever they give me I’m going to give them back,’ he promises. ‘If there’s one thing I never understand when I watch the show is when the dancers and celebrities take beatings from the judges and don’t say anything.’

Popcorn at the ready